The transportation process, a critical point in fresh fruit and vegetable supply chains, contributes significantly to the 13 percent of the world’s food losses that occur between harvesting and retail. To address this challenge, we need to approach the whole system of transportation and come up with tailored solutions. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works to promote the development of organized transport systems critical for assuring the efficient transfer of perishable fresh produce from farms to markets with minimal food loss in low- and middle-income countries. 

Many have heard of Cartagena, Colombia, renowned for its vibrant walled city, festive environment and its Palenqueras, colourfully dressed female fruit vendors carrying a bucket of produce on their heads. But Cartagena is only the tip of the much bigger Colombian state, or “department”, of Bolívar. Scattered throughout the territory about two hours south of Cartagena are small towns that border a network of marshlands. This intricate ecosystem of waterways and wetlands plays a vital role in the environment but has also served as a treacherous battleground during Colombia’s long-standing armed conflict.

The "Turning Waste into Wealth in Barbados" initiative transforms fish waste into valuable livestock feed and soil amendments, supporting local farmers and processors while advancing sustainable development and fisheries policy.

Sheep pox and goat pox are highly contagious. An outbreak can cause significant production losses.

Join the World Food Day Poster Contest and show us your creativity! Design a poster that symbolizes your favourite dish or recipe, representing the importance of diverse, nutritious, safe and affordable foods. Show us what this means to you, your community or the world through art. The submission deadline is 8 November 2024.

Efforts to rediscover and cultivate over 350 key crops, supported by global initiatives like the Benefit-sharing Fund, are crucial for enhancing food security, resilience, and nutrition in the face of climate change.

Around 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, equivalent to one in eleven people globally and one in five in Africa. The 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report is clear:  the world is falling significantly short of achieving our goal of Zero Hunger by 2030. Current financing levels are inadequate and often inefficient. We need innovative financing to build resilience in our agrifood systems and ensure equitable access to healthy diets. The report, published jointly by five UN agencies, provides updated analyses and recommendations to guide global actions.

The State of the World's Forests Report 2024 offers not just a worldwide view of the situation of these indispensable ecosystems, but also explores the transformative power of evidence-based innovation in the forest sector, ranging from new technologies to successful policies, to new ways of getting finance to forest owners and managers. The biennial report, published by FAO, is one its flagship publications, and carries extensive data on global forest resources and on humans’ interaction with them, while outlining strategies for reducing deforestation.

Gita Adikhari realised something significant had changed when her farm in the Jhapa District of eastern Nepal yielded nearly double the amount she would normally harvest. The bumper crop was a result of learnings from a Farmer Field School run by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with funding from the Green Climate Fund. An overarching aim of the learnings is to make farming systems more resilient to climate change. Farmer Field Schools are also about boosting the confidence of women farmers, who traditionally have not had a voice in household or community decisions. Gita feels that this has changed and now shares her opinions and gets involved in the community.

Due to the decreasing availability of pasture brought on by worsening drought in the southern Gobi region, camels are producing less milk, causing difficulties for herders who rely on this for income and nutrition. The herder communities in Mongolia, traditionally, do not feed their camels with any supplemental feed and only hand-milk their camels. But now with the knowledge and resources from An EU-funded project, implemented by FAO, camel herders have witnessed the increased production in milk from supplemental feed. Milking equipment has also increased quality in milk production. 

In Albania, agritourism is flourishing, driven by the stunning Vjosa Wild River National Park and its untamed river valleys. The Lile family farm and restaurant, located near the Bënja thermal baths, offers Albanian and Greek cuisine, wine, and traditional raki. With tourism doubling from 2016 to 2023, there’s a growing demand for quality local food and services. By fostering agritourism, Albania aims to create market opportunities and boost rural development, addressing interrelated sectors like agriculture, tourism, and culture. FAO is supporting the country’s vision for improving its agrifood system and increasing prosperity in rural areas.

Ariljska malina, a plump, vibrantly coloured raspberry, is one of Serbia’s crown jewels. Farmers in the region developed a now decades-old growing and harvesting technique that, along with the area’s microclimate, contributes to the raspberry’s taste and quality. The raspberry is the area’s only commercial product, driving the area’s economic development. It is also one of more than 9,000 geographically protected foods worldwide, with geographical indication (GI) status. FAO and EBRD support to producers helps ensure continued promotion and protection of these products.

Every year, June 18 marks Sustainable Gastronomy Day. Sustainable gastronomy emphasizes the mindful sourcing, cultivation, and distribution of ingredients, ensuring that food production and consumption practices are environmentally responsible and capable of enduring into the future.

In early 2023, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, faced a growing organic waste problem. The city reached out to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for help. FAO's project, BioDAF, aimed to turn organic waste into a resource using the Black Soldier Fly. The idea was to get the flies to mate, give their offspring tons of garbage to eat, and then dry the larvae to use as either feed for livestock or powdered food for fish farms. The project received funding from FAO’s ELEVATE programme, which supports innovative agricultural solutions.

Blessing Andrew is a veterinary animal health worker in Nigeria and the sole practicing female veterinary paraprofessional (VPP) in Sanga, southern Kaduna State. Despite challenges such as questioning her competence and being paid less than her male counterparts, she was motivated to continue her career after receiving training from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Ahmadu Bello University’s College of Agriculture and Animal Science. The training focused on reaching women and promoting gender-responsive approaches to animal health.